Apparatus for determining position of an endothracheal tube
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining the optimum position of an endotracheal tube containing an inlet and an outlet while allowing simultaneous ventilation of a patient with said endotracheal tube, said apparatus comprising a stylet with a proximal end and a distal end, a means for producing magnetic flux connected to said distal end of said stylet, an adaptor comprised of a annular body comprising a first orifice, a second orifice, and a third orifice, means for connecting said third orifice of said adaptor with said inlet of said endotracheal tube, means for adjustably and removably connecting said stylet to said adaptor by passing said stylet through said second orifice and said third orifice until said distal end of said stylet is a specified distance from said outlet of said endotracheal tube, means for sensing the presence of said magnetic flux which is located within from about 2 to about 4 centimeters from said sensing means, and means for indicating the presence of said magnetic flux which is located within from about 2 to about 4 centimeters from said sensing means, wherein:
- (a) said first orifice has an outer diameter of about 15 millimeters, and said third orifice has an inner diameter of about 15 millimeters;
(b) said second orifice is from about 3.75 to about 4.78 millimeters in width; and
(c) said stylet is a coated, malleable device comprising a core consisting essentially of inorganic material and a coating of non-magnetic material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the optimum position of an endotracheal tube while allowing simultaneous ventilation of a patient with the endotracheal tube is disclosed. This apparatus contains a stylet, connecting means for adjustably and removably disposing the stylet within an endotracheal tube, means attached to the stylet for producing magnetic flux, and means for sensing the presence of magnetic flux.
388 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for determining the optimum position of an endotracheal tube containing an inlet and an outlet while allowing simultaneous ventilation of a patient with said endotracheal tube, said apparatus comprising a stylet with a proximal end and a distal end, a means for producing magnetic flux connected to said distal end of said stylet, an adaptor comprised of a annular body comprising a first orifice, a second orifice, and a third orifice, means for connecting said third orifice of said adaptor with said inlet of said endotracheal tube, means for adjustably and removably connecting said stylet to said adaptor by passing said stylet through said second orifice and said third orifice until said distal end of said stylet is a specified distance from said outlet of said endotracheal tube, means for sensing the presence of said magnetic flux which is located within from about 2 to about 4 centimeters from said sensing means, and means for indicating the presence of said magnetic flux which is located within from about 2 to about 4 centimeters from said sensing means, wherein:
-
(a) said first orifice has an outer diameter of about 15 millimeters, and said third orifice has an inner diameter of about 15 millimeters; (b) said second orifice is from about 3.75 to about 4.78 millimeters in width; and (c) said stylet is a coated, malleable device comprising a core consisting essentially of inorganic material and a coating of non-magnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification